Planning begins for new neighbourhood on old RCMP HQ

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The site of the old Vancouver RCMP headquarters on Heather Street now sits filled with run-down buildings and abandoned parking lots.

But the process of transforming the 21 acre property into a vibrant neighbourhood started this weekend with the official planning kick-off. Neighbours dined on bannock and salmon while representatives from three First Nations delivered speeches and performed traditional dances and songs onstage.

The property is one of three bought by Canada Lands Company in partnership with the Musqueam Band, the Squamish Nation, and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

“We felt this was an opportunity to draw forward traditional knowledge and apply it in a modern context,” says Squamish chief Ian Campbell, who led a traditional Musqueam welcome song at the event.

While the shape of the re-development is still being decided, but the result will be mostly residential, with First Nations names, designs, and artwork throughout.

“This land is particularly suited to more housing,” says Deana Grinnell, a senior director with Canada Lands company, “there will probably also be some community amenities, community facilities, we’re expecting that the city will be interested in seeing some daycare here.”

One part of the property will be staying the same: the historic Fairmont Academy, which was constructed in 1914 and now has both federal and civic heritage designation.

Grinnell says the policy planning process could take up to 18 months, and the groundbreaking is still roughly four years away.

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